Stats & Training
Riolu's spread isn't flashy. Attack leads, Sp. Atk trails, 0 stats clear the bar. Moderately hard to find and worth 1 Attack EV, on a 1.06M XP medium-slow curve.
They communicate with one another using their auras. They are able to run all through the night.
It has the peculiar power of being able to see emotions, such as joy and rage, in the form of waves.
Riolu Weakness
Riolu's Fighting typing leaves it vulnerable to Flying, Psychic, and Fairy. 3 weaknesses is about average, nothing too hard to play around.
| Damage | Types |
|---|---|
| 2x (Weak) | Flying, Psychic, Fairy |
| 0.5x (Resist) | Bug, Rock, Dark |
 Gyarados Water | A | |
 Espeon Psychic | A | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Riolu View Espeon builds →Future Sight 2x297-350%KO Psychic 2x223-263%KO Psybeam 2x162-190%KO | ||
 Drifblim Ghost | B | |
 Gardevoir PsychicFairy | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Riolu View Gardevoir builds →Future Sight 2x285-337%KO Dream Eater 2x239-282%KO Moonblast 2x228-269%KO Psychic 2x215-253%KO | ||
 Braviary Normal | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Riolu View Braviary builds →Sky Attack 2x328-386%KO Air Slash 2x97-115%KO Wing Attack 2x142-167%KO Aerial Ace 2x142-167%KO | ||
In Scarlet & Violet, Espeon can KO Riolu with Psyshock (114-134%). Whimsicott deals 72-86% with Moonblast.
Espeon Psychic | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityMagic Bounce ItemLeftovers NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Riolu View Espeon builds →Psyshock 2x114-134%KO | ||
 Talonflame Fire | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityFlame Body ItemHeavy-Duty Boots NatureJolly Moves View Talonflame builds →
| ||
 Whimsicott GrassFairy | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityPrankster ItemCovert Cloak NatureBold Moves
Damage vs Riolu View Whimsicott builds →Moonblast 2x72-86% | ||
 Salamence Dragon | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityIntimidate ItemHeavy-Duty Boots NatureAdamant Moves
Damage vs Riolu View Salamence builds →Earthquake61-71% | ||
Scarlet & Violet Evolution
Riolu is the baby form here. It evolves into Lucario by leveling up, but you can't breed it directly. Hatch one by breeding the evolved forms instead. The evolved forms gain up to 240 total stats over Riolu. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.
How to Evolve
Breeding
Scarlet & Violet Riolu Best Moveset
Still unevolved, still relevant. Riolu's Eviolite bulk with spread EVs creates a defensive profile that punches above its stage. Prankster adds passive value. Copycat gives it offensive presence.
Best Build
Riolu best EVs are Attack and Sp. Def
Bulky Support Moveset
- Copycat
- Earthquake
- Drain Punch
- High Jump Kick
Recommended Teammates
Doubles Physical Tank Moveset
- Coaching
- Quick Guard
- Helping Hand
- Feint
Recommended Teammates
Doubles Bulky Support Moveset
- Coaching
- Quick Guard
- Copycat
- Brick Break
Recommended Teammates
Doubles Physical Attacker Moveset
- Copycat
- Upper Hand
- Reversal
- Bullet Punch
Recommended Teammates
Physical Tank Moveset
- Copycat
- Unknown
- Bullet Punch
- Close Combat
Recommended Teammates
Moves
Breadth over depth defines this movepool. Riolu won't stack one type's damage ceiling, but coverage across 12 types means it always has an effective option. Focus Punch and High Jump Kick anchor the STAB core.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
Scarlet & Violet Riolu Locations
Riolu sits at low spawn rates across 16 spots in early-game routes. Pick one from the sorted list and commit to it. Jumping between areas wastes more time than waiting in the right location.
Best Locations to Catch Riolu in Scarlet & Violet
16 walking encounters at Lv. 12-65 for Riolu across Scarlet and Violet. A few locations are version-exclusive, so your copy of the game affects what's available.
Riolu Guide
Get Riolu to Lucario by leveling up. At 285 BST, Riolu is just the starting point.
You can find Riolu in Scarlet & Violet. The Locations section has the full breakdown of routes and encounter details. It also appears in 13 other games across the series.
Yes, Riolu is in Scarlet & Violet. It shows up in 14 games across the series.
In Scarlet & Violet, Riolu does the job early-game if you need a Fighting type on your team. Evolve it into Lucario before the later gyms and it holds up fine through the story.
Game Availability
Riolu first appeared in Diamond & Pearl and has been available in 14 games across 7 generations. Obtainable through catching or hatching as a base form in most titles where it appears.
Click a game to view version-specific details
- Gen 1Y
Yellow - Gen 1RB
Red & Blue - Gen 2GS
Gold & Silver - Gen 2C
Crystal - Gen 3RS
Ruby & Sapphire - Gen 3FRLG
FireRed & LeafGreen - Gen 3E
Emerald - Gen 4Pt
Platinum - Gen 4HGSS
HeartGold & SoulSilver - Gen 4DPDebut
Diamond & Pearl - Gen 5BW
Black & White - Gen 5B2W2
Black 2 & White 2 - Gen 6XY
X & Y - Gen 6ORAS
Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire - Gen 7USUM
Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon - Gen 7SM
Sun & Moon - Gen 7LGPE
Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee - Gen 8SwSh
Sword & Shield - Gen 8PLA
Legends: Arceus - Gen 8BDSP
Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl - Gen 9SV
Scarlet & Violet - Gen 9LZA
Legends: Z-A - Gen 10WW
Winds & Waves